If you live in the north east part of the united states, and like to stay active even in the winter months, you may be familiar with platform tennis. You layer up and head outside to your local raised and heated courts for some friendly competition. But, are you making the same mistakes I made when it comes to shoes?
When it comes to the best shoes for platform tennis, you definitely cannot just grab an old pair of running shoes or cross trainers and go play. Heck, you might not want to put on your favorite pair of court shoes either. Why?
Put simply, shoes for platform tennis need to have a rugged outsole designed to withstand the rough surface platform tennis is played on. More specifically, they need to be outdoor court shoes that can withstand the rough, gritty surface that a platform tennis court is comprised of. Otherwise, you run the risk of wearing and tearing through a traditional court shoe’s outsole, and wasting your money.
Let me explain.
In A Hurry? Here Are My Top Picks!
#1
K-Swiss Ultra Shot 2
My top pick because of the improvements made by K-Swiss in the tongue for comfort and a synthetic leather upper for premium durability. All backed by a 6 month outsole warranty!
5 of 5 Stars
#2
Wilson Pro Rush 2.5
My runner up because of outstanding traction and stability. Provides optimal traction control with its modified herringbone tread pattern and on court "grippy" feel. Unique midsole lets you ride low to the court while retaining the durability needed for platform tennis.
4.5 of 5 Stars
#3
Asics Gel Resolution 7
The Gel Resolution 7 is my "Value Pick" because it's hard to find a better shoe with this much shoe technology woven seamlessly into it. Few shoes provide comfort, stability and durability at this price tag. I'm a big fan of all things Asics.
4.5 of 5 Stars
#4
Viking T22 Court Shoe
My final pick comes from the company that knows platform tennis the best; Viking Athletics. The T22 is an affordable court shoe with enhanced impact absorption technology designed to improve forefoot support.
4 of 5 Stars
Finding The Best Shoes For Platform Tennis Was Not Easy
After a quick internet search, not unlike the one you did to find this article, I was brought to various online retailers not named Amazon showing me different buying options.
These were racquet sport specific online retailers and yet I was being shown tennis shoes, indoor court shoes and even racquetball shoes as buying options. This didn’t seem right.
Shouldn’t racquet sport sites show me shoes that were designed for specifically for platform tennis? This is a game played, for the most part outdoors in cold weather states like Michigan.
So, why then was I being shown indoor court shoes?
I didn’t want to spend over $100 on some random court shoe that wasn’t right for platform tennis, only to wear them out in one or two months.
So, that’s when I called the American Platform Tennis Association. Yep, the governing body as it relates to the wonderful sport of platform tennis.
Doesn’t someone make shoes for platform tennis...designed specifically for platform tennis? The short answer is surprisingly, no. But there are plenty of good shoe options.
After speaking with the APTA, I got some real answers. And finally, I was pointed in the right direction and given real product recommendations for those looking for the best shoes for platform tennis.
And I’m going to share what I learned and the products recommended to me - with you.
Platform Tennis Courts - A Different Kind Of Rough
When I spoke with the friendly folks at the APTA, they explained to me what makes a platform tennis court so different.
If you’re not familiar, platform tennis courts are constructed using aluminum planks. Yes, planks like a wooden plank you’d see on an outdoor deck. But, they’re raised with heating systems installed beneath them to make it a friendly wintertime paddle sport.
Having a raised court made entirely out of aluminum planks already makes platform tennis the most unique court of any racquet sport out there but, it gets better.
What makes a platform tennis court so unique is the hand laid grit that is placed down when the planks are painted.
What is platform tennis grit?
It’s a rough, gritty, textured resin that is embedded right into the paint on the planks.
This textured grit is so important when it comes to the shoes you wear for platform tennis because it can do a number on any outsole.
The folks at the American Platform Tennis Association told me that if you play regularly (like 5 days a week) at any racquet sport, you’ll quickly wear-out any pair of good court shoes. But, this “wear-out factor” is accelerated (almost doubled) because of the grit and planks in platform tennis.
Here’s a fact - Experts say you should change your court shoes every 6 months. But, with platform tennis - you may need to replace them every 3 months - depending on how often you play.
So, two questions come to mind.
Do they make court shoes with tougher outsoles that are ideal for platform tennis?
Should you invest in expensive court shoes when you may need to replace them in 3 to 6 months?
Unfortunately, there are no shoes designed exclusively for platform tennis.
However, there are many outdoor specific court shoes that are really great options. You just have to know what to look for.
As for second question. The answer is no. It isn't a good idea to spend close to $150 on a fancy pair of court shoes for platform tennis. It's a wast of money. Finding a tough, relatively affordable pair is ideal.
What To Look For When Choosing Court Shoes For Platform Tennis
When it comes to researching platform tennis shoes, I quickly realized that you need to be looking for an outdoor court shoe. Avoid any indoor court shoe because of the softer rubber outsole used.
You’ll also want to avoid a super lightweight court shoe. Lightweight court shoes are great for tennis or indoor pickleball but when playing outside on a platform tennis court - lighter court shoes are not going to last.
So, you lose that durability factor with lighter court shoes. For platform tennis, I avoid lighter court shoes all together.
When it comes to shoes for platform tennis, look for an outdoor court shoe that gives you these five key features:
- A Tough Outsole
- A Durable Upper
- Affordability
- A Partial Herringbone Tread Pattern
- A 6 Month Outsole Warranty
Here’s a brief overview of why each key feature is important.
Court Shoe Anatomy - Outsole Toughness
When it comes to choosing a court shoe, specifically one designed to withstand the conditions of platform tennis, you must choose an outdoor court shoe.
Make sure your court shoe says “outdoor” and not “indoor”. You’d be surprised how many people think a court shoe can be used anywhere. The softer rubber outsoles of an indoor court shoe are going to get chewed up on a platform tennis court.
Don’t make the same mistake I did.
Big brands offer specific outsoles that are tougher.
Asics for instance is a brand I love and their known for their toughness and durability. They incorporate an outsole technology called “AHAR”. It’s 50% more durable than their standard high abrasion rubber.
This makes it more ideal for outdoor courts.
This is just one example using one brand name but no matter what brand you’re choosing make sure it’s an outdoor court shoe with some sort of abrasion technology in the outsole. That'll ensure you've got a shoe with a tough outsole.
Court Shoe Anatomy - A Durable Upper
It’s important to get a shoe that offers a durable upper. The “upper” is the part of the court shoes that you slip your feet into. It’s the part that holds your foot on top of the midsole and outsole.
Essentially, it’s the material that hugs your foot and is commonly made of synthetic mesh or leather.
In the case of shoes for platform tennis, avoid super lightweight mesh synthetic uppers that are designed for optimal breathability.
Why?
Well for starters, they tend to be super light weight, and far less durable. They breath better to avoid sweaty feet syndrome but a super lightweight mesh shoe that breathes better isn’t ideal for an outdoor racquet sport played in the winter months.
Instead, look for a more rugged, durable mesh material or leather...or a combination of the two.
Buyer’s Tip: ALL of the platform tennis shoes I recommend below have the ideal material for the upper. So don’t worry, I’ve done the work for you.
Leather is going to offer more durability and stability when playing. It will also help your shoes last longer, and keep your feet warmer.
Court Shoe Quick Tip: Leather shoes will have less give and not expand as much to your foot shape. So, if you plan on wearing a double layer of socks like I sometimes do, make sure you can still fit your foot into the upper comfortably.
Court Shoe Affordability
This aspect is SO crucial in my opinion. Even the folks at the APTA think it’s important.
It’s easy to find a great pair of Nike court shoes that are comfortable and feel great. But, they could cost you well over $150 dollars.
If you wear them to play platform tennis even 3 days a week, those expensive court shoes are going to be toast in a matter of months.
Instead, the American Platform Tennis Association informed me that choosing an affordable pair is the smartest way to go.
You don’t want the cheapest, most uncomfortable pair of court shoes but you also don’t want to spend big bucks on an expensive, fancy pair either.
Finding a happy medium, is the best way to go. Even if you need to replace them in 6 months.
When it comes to platform tennis, I look for good, reliable, durable outdoor court shoes in the $80 to $100 range.
I avoid the elite level, lightweight, fancy court shoes that cost $180.
Outsole Warranty On Court Shoes For Platform Tennis
This one’s pretty simple. When I called the APTA, they mentioned that one of the major platform tennis sponsors, Viking Tennis, made a shoe that had an outsole warranty tied to it.
This made sense after all because platform tennis players tend to wear out their shoes faster.
But, after doing a little more digging and finding the shoe in question (the Viking T22), apparently they don’t offer the warranty anymore on the outsole. That feature went away in 2016.
However, I didn’t give up. I reached out to some additional platform tennis manufacturers and found out that there are some quality court shoes that offer a 6 month outsole warranty!
So, I’ve included them in my top court shoes for platform tennis list below.
Partial or Modified Herringbone Pattern
This last aspect is a bit technical, but I think it’s worth mentioning.
When I did my research I learned that court shoes tend to have two kinds of tread patterns:
Full Herringbone and Partial Herringbone.
Both tread patterns are ideal for the lateral movement needed for sports like tennis, pickleball and platform tennis.
But partial herringbone is most ideal for platform tennis.
Why?
Well, full herringbone court shoe tread patterns are almost exclusively used for clay court tennis.
So, when it comes to platform tennis - outdoor court shoes with a partial herringbone tread pattern are ideal for the outdoor court that you’ll be playing on.
Quick Tip: Running shoes don’t have a tread pattern that is made for lateral movement. Running shoe tread patterns are designed for a forward motion only. Their tread pattern doesn’t account for any lateral movement. So, don’t use running shoes for ANY racquet sport. Trust me.
Don't bring running shoes to any court.
The Best Shoes For Platform Tennis Given To Me By The Experts
The four court shoes I’ve outlined below represent, in my opinion the best options for those looking for dedicated footwear ideal for the rugged nature of platform tennis. 3 out of the 4 options below meet all 5 of my platform tennis shoe criteria I've laid out.
The K-Swiss, the Wilson and the Asics Gel are all tough, durable, affordable, have the proper tread pattern and come with a 6 month warranty on the outsole. So, if the outsole becomes compromised, all you have to do is reach out to the manufacturer, and they’ll replace it. As long as it’s in the 6 month window.
The fourth option from Viking used to have an outsole warranty but they’ve discontinued it. However, it’s still a great option for platform tennis players so I’m including it.
Let’s take a closer look at the top shoes for platform tennis.
1.The K-Swiss Ultra Shot 2
The Ultra Shot from K-Swiss comes in at #1 on my list because it was consistently recommended to me from the experts I spoke with from various platform tennis companies.
K-Swiss is steadily becoming a brand name to remember in the world of platform tennis and this is largely because of the progress K-Swiss has made in becoming a household name in standard tennis.
With the Ultra Shot 2 you get a molded rubber outsole with a partial herringbone tread pattern for durability and maneuverability on the court.
It also features a synthetic leather design for the upper. This gives it nice comfort inside but also the stability you’d expect from a leather material (versus pure mesh).
K-Swiss has improved the Ultra Shot, hence the name Ultrashot “2”. This second version has improved upon the first iteration by giving it a new tongue design for comfort as well as making it lighter.
It’s also got a more comfortable toe box compared to the first installment. So, K-Swiss has invested in improving an already great shoe.
This added comfort and lighter weight however doesn’t come at a price. The K-Swiss Ultra Shot 2 is as durable as it has ever been AND comes with an industry leading 6 month outsole warranty.
In addition, it comes in both a men’s and women’s version with many stylish color options to fit your needs.
What I like best about the K-Swiss Ultra Shot 2 is that it’s good for wide feet (like mine) and the break-in time is minimal. Meaning you can put it on and go play comfortably right out of the gate.
Buyer’s Tip: When I researched this shoe, I found that Amazon had the best price. Other outlets including K-Swiss’s website, had the shoe priced $20 to $30 dollars more. Click here for the Men’s versions or here for the Women’s version.
The cool part is, no matter where I went...when I consulted with real platform tennis enthusiasts, the K-Swiss Ultra Shot was always one of the products recommended.
Pros:
-6 Month Outsole Warranty
-Added Comfort from Toe Box and Tongue upgrades
-Synthetic Leather for tough durability
-Very affordable
Cons:
-Doesn’t breathe as well as other court shoes. May need time to dry out.
Meets All Five Of My Platform Tennis Shoe Criteria:
Overall Rating:
2. The Wilson Pro Rush 2.5
The Pro Rush 2.5 is one of Wilson’s signature outdoor court shoes and is one of those shoes that has a following in the tennis community. Meaning, many people have bought and worn many pairs and keep coming back to it.
Which is why we’ve had so many good versions of this shoe. The “2.5” represents two and half substantial updates from Wilson, improving upon it’s frame, chassis, and tractions levels.
Editor's Update: As of March 2020, I also recommend the Rush Pro 3.0. I bought it, wore it, and reviewed it here. It's lighter than the 2.5, comes with a 6 month outsole warranty and also a great choice for platform tennis.
So, what does the Pro Rush 2.5 offer and why did it make my list of top shoes to consider for platform tennis?
Well for starters, this iteration has greatly improved it’s overall comfort while still offering the “low to the ground” feel the Pro Rush series has been known for.
Because of how the outsole and midsole are positioned below the upper, the Pro Rush has an aggressive, learn forward-like stance that makes you feel low to the court and ready to pounce like a cat.
In fact, previous models had even more heal/arch direction where your foot actually was pointed inward and forward for better acceleration.
But thankfully that’s been refined and dialed back a little to add stability and more comfort. Wilson has found a good middle ground where your feet still feel like they’re in attack position but, not at the expense of being slightly uncomfortable.
Wilson call this their patented Pro Torque Chassis.
The new breathable synthetic mesh upper using Wilson’s Sensifeel technology is still durable and tough but has added comfort and breathability. Something previous installments didn’t have.
Again, you can tell Wilson has used what it’s learned from multiple versions of this shoe to continue to hone and refine it.
The Rush Pro 2.5 also provides excellent durability much like previous versions thanks to its Duralast rubber outsole with a modified herringbone tread pattern. Push-off traction at launch is very good with this shoe, as is stopping power.
When you put the right kind of tires on a race car, you get better hook, and traction control.
The same can be said here. In fact, the race car analogy is appropriate because of how low these shoes feel to the court. You’ll feel that the lateral stability and traction control is more on the “sticky” side...but that’s a good thing.
All that, plus the break-in period is not bad depending on your foot shape and you get a 6 month outsole guarantee.
My favorite feature of this shoe is that despite being a mesh upper that has some breathability, it’s still very durable and will work very well outside on a platform tennis court.
Is the upper as rugged as the K-Swiss Ultrashot? I’d say probably not. But for those that like a little lighter feel with a mesh material and a little more “give” - this may be the best shoe for platform tennis.
Buyer’s Tip: Here is easy access to the women’s version and the men’s version so you can take a better look at your color options.
Pros:
- Provides great support and comfort thanks to a little lighter mesh upper; but still durable
- Sticky traction and lateral stability
- Very affordable
- Low to the court, aggressive stance
Cons:
- Narrow feet players may need two pairs of shoes
- Narrow feet players could experience toe jam
- Those with flat feet may want more arch support
Meets All Five Of My Platform Tennis Shoe Criteria:
Overall Rating:
3. Asics Gel Resolution 7
The Gel Resolution 7 made my “best of” list because it’s quite honestly one of the most technologically advanced shoes on the market. And it’s by far, the most advanced on my list.
In fact, the Gel Resolution series from Asics is arguably the most advanced court shoe series from any major tennis brand. Ever. And it’s currently in its 8th iteration with the Gel Res 8.
So, why did I choose the Resolution 7? Well, because it a little more heavy duty compared to previous Gel versions.
Here’s what I mean by that.
The Gel 7 isn’t a tank compared to the Gel 6 but it offers a more stable upper compared to the 6 and this results in a noticeably stronger, durable fit. Perfect for platform tennis.
But the best part of the Gel Res 7 is the shoe technology embedded into its soul or in this case, its sole.
Let’s start with the outsole. It’s one of the toughest in the court shoe market because of the Trusstic System Asics incorporates into all their court shoes.
It keeps the shoes lightweight while giving it rugged toughness to keep it from breaking down. It’s extremely durable without the heaviness.
Next up is the AHAR Plus Outsole Technology. This is the actual material or in this case, the rubber that makes up the outsole hitting the court surface. It’s an upgrade from Asics previous outsole material that offers 50% more durability and is placed at the spots of the foot that are shown to get the most wear and tear.
Asics is not only meticulous with their design elements but also where they put them. The outsole structure and usage of the Trusstic and AHAR technology is a perfect example of that.
All in all, the Asics Gel Resolution 7 has six different shoes technologies designed into it. Including:
Solyte Midsole Material - for advanced cushioning and comfort
I.G.S. - An Impact Guiding System for proper heel to toe take off
P.H.F. - Personal Heel Fit system with memory foam within the upper for an individualized form fitting experience
PGuard - For toe box protection which reduces abrasion
AHAR Outsole Rubber - For better, longer durability
Trusstic System - For a lighter outsole that remains tough
I have two favorite aspects to this shoe.
The first is the Personal Heel Fit System. I think it’s a stroke of genius on the part of Asics to incorporate memory foam into the upper to create a uniquely snug fit. The two layers of memory foam react to your foot’s shape, and hug it.
The cool part is, the shoe is fitting and forming to you instead of you trying to find a shoe that fits the shape of your foot.
The second aspect I like about the Res 7 is it’s overall durability. In fact, every Asics I’ve ever owned has lasted a long time.
Every shoe I’ve ever beat up on the courts tends to wear out in the forefoot and tear at the pinky toe area. But with Asics, this doesn’t happen until the bitter end of the shoe’s life cycle.
I’ve always been impressed with how long-lasting my Asics have always been.
My only warning on this shoe is that it tends to fit better for those with narrow feet. If you have really wide feet, you may want to look elsewhere or adjust the size to find the proper fit.
Buyer's Tip: I get the most bang for my buck with Asics. And the best part, The Asics Gel Resolution 7 is very inexpensive. So, you can find the men’s version or the women’s version for well under $90!
Pros:
- Extremely long lasting and durable
- Memory foam upper for an individualized fit
- Heel to Toe take-off guiding system
- Special toe guard abrasion protection
- Super affordable
Cons:
- May not be the right shoe for those with narrow feet
Meets All Five Of My Platform Tennis Shoe Criteria:
Overall Rating:
4. Viking Athletics T22
Viking is one of the preeminent names in platform tennis right now and, even though there is not a shoe dedicated only to platform tennis, this shoe would be the closest thing to that.
Viking has a long history in platform tennis and makes everything from the paddles you need, to the ball it’s played with, and even accessories like gloves and grips. And their paddles are arguably the best paddles around.
So it goes without saying that whatever type of court shoe Viking makes, they’ve got platform tennis in mind. And that’s a good thing.
The Viking T22 comes in a sharp black and white combination or an eye catching black and green color pattern.
The women’s version comes in a traditional pink and white combo or a more aggressive black and purple.
But it didn’t make my list because of its color scheme. It’s a great platform tennis shoe option because of its impact absorption technology and it’s enhanced forefoot support.
The absorption technology comes from two inserts that come standard with the shoe. The first is the ShockEraser in the heel of the shoe and the second is the SoftSpring pad underneath the mid-foot and forefoot.
These two pads of cushioning are designed to work in harmony with one another to provide a shock dispersion system that reduces impact on the heel (where the most force is found) and sends it across the bottom of the shoe to the forefoot.
This makes the shoe stay soft and comfy despite heavy pounding.
Topping off the shoe tech included in the T22 are a synthetic/leather mesh material that includes TPU straps across the forefoot.
The TPU straps are the two pink strips of reinforcement coming up to the lace eyelets. Check out the image below.
The T22s retail anywhere from $70 to $90, so they’re relatively inexpensive.
Buyer's Tip: The men's version and the women's version each offer their own unique color schemes.
Pros:
- Made by Viking, a dedicated platform tennis company
- TPU straps for advanced forefoot support across the medial and lateral section
- Shock absorption system placed at the heel and forefoot to disperse impact
Cons:
- No 6 month warranty provided on the outsole
Meets 4 Out Of 5 Of My Platform Tennis Shoe Criteria
Overall Rating:
Shoes For Platform Tennis - Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a new pair or even a dedicated pair of court shoes for platform tennis, I hope this article has helped you know what to look for when it comes to proper footwear for platform tennis.
My top pick is the K-Swiss Ultra Shot because of the consistent feedback I got from platform tennis experts. Wherever I went for real recommendations, the Ultra Shot was always mentioned as a top pick. So, it tops my list.
If you’ve tried any of the court shoes I recommend above, please leave a comment below to share your thoughts with our racquet sport community.
Or maybe I’ve left out a great court shoe that you swear by. Drop a comment and leave your thoughts.
If you have requests for me to do product breakdowns on anything else platform tennis related or another paddle sport you love, just let me know.
